Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has shed some light on the Easter weekend statistics.

After what was arguably one of the quietest weekends in recent times, Mbaula commented that:

"This year’s Easter holidays came against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to a nation-wide lockdown. With 70% reduction of cars on our roads, we must commend our people for complaisance. The 2020 Easter period was extraordinary as there was limited movement. Despite the lockdown there were those allowed to travel."

The minister confirmed that during this period 26 crashes were reported, resulting in 28 fatalities:

"As at the end of the Easter weekend, 26 fatal crashes were recorded, which resulted in 28 fatalities. Most crashes involved pedestrians and single vehicles overturned, with contributions of 38% and 19% respectively."

"In addition to enforcing road traffic laws, authorities had to enforce the lockdown regulations and directions. As a consequence, 184 vehicles were stopped and ordered to return home for travelling in contravention of the lockdown regulations and directions."

Briefly.co.za gathered that a total of 104 140 vehicles were stopped and checked at these roadblocks. The total number of arrests for violation of road traffic laws stood at 719, while traffic law enforcement authorities manned 480 roadblocks.

The breakdown per province as follows:

Mpumalanga - 6 crashes (7 fatalities)

KwaZulu-Natal - 5 crashes (6 fatalities)

Eastern Cape - 5 crashes (5 fatalities)

Gauteng - 3 crashes (3 fatalities)

Western Cape - 3 crashes (3 fatalities)

North West - 3 crashes ( 3 fatalities)

Limpopo - 1 crash (1 fatality)

Free State - 0 crashes

Northern Cape - 0 crashes

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